The 5-minute Interview: Carrie Grant, vocal coach and session singer

'I'd love to do a mindless job where I could think while I'm working'

Grant, 42, is best known for her work on the television talent contests 'Fame Academy,' 'Pop Idol' and currently ,'The One And Only'. At the end of last year, she and her husband, David, received a Golden Badge Award, presented by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters for outstanding contribution to British music. 'Carrie And David's Popshop' begins today at 5pm on the CBeebies channel.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

In the car on the way to the studios to film The One And Only.

A phrase I use far too often...

"Tidy your room!" My kids are messy but they don't have a great example in me.

I wish people would take more notice of...

Serving one another. People associate it with abuse but I think the relationships that work best are the ones where people serve each other and have the other person's best interests at heart.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

Being in a marriage that has lasted 20 years. Statistically that doesn't happen much these days, so I am really pleased we are deemed to be successful.

A common misperception of me is...

That I'm hard. I'm not a softie but I'm not as hard as people think I am. My job is to coach and when I'm criticising people it's constructive. I have to be honest, it's my job.

I am not a politician but...

I would like to see the London congestion charge dropped. Ken Livingstone hates drivers and I think it's just a way to make money. It doesn't lower the amount of traffic flow either.

I'm good at...

Hospitality. I love to have a house full of people to entertain and cook for.

I'm very bad at...

Keeping my mouth shut. After I've spoken, I often think "I shouldn't have said that."

The ideal night out is...

Dinner with friends or David. I also enjoy taking the children to the theatre. It's a good introduction to culture for them.

In moments of weakness I...

Eat chocolate. Galaxy, in particular.

You know me as a vocal coach but in a truer life I'd have been...

Something administrative. I love the idea of doing a mindless job where I can think about things while I'm working.

The best age to be is...

42. There's no pressure to be jolly and every year, I get that bit wiser and that much more respect.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this...

Love one another.

Lucy Kinnear